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The family of Laura Mae Trexler uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 31, 2017
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Edward L. Diehm, Jr posted a condolence
Friday, October 25, 2013
I remember how she helped many a student find their way into the adult world, either thru finding jobs for them or helping them find the right college. She helped set up the job interview that lead to me working 40 years for AT&T. Thank you Mrs. Trexler
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Robert Beecher posted a condolence
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Thank you Ms. Trexler for being such a wonderful, determined, and caring person who shepherded so many NVRHS students. She was able to kick us in the butt when we needed it and then tell us how much she cared about us. She even took the time to help me get back on track 2 years after I graduated. She was determined that we would all do well wether we wanted to at the time or not. We should all follow her example! God bless you!
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George Ellis posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I had often heard stories during my childhood of my "shirt tail cousin," Laura Trexler, from my father. She was larger than life in my Dad's eyes...a remarkable and unstoppable woman. The stories are many and none of them would be surprising to any of us. However, all of that came true to life for me on the day that I finally met "Cousin Laura" in Quantico when I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. My Dad and Laura attended my graduation and Laura helped pin on my bars. Then the adventure began! Her personal interest, concern, and advice were invaluable over the following years...and even some mysterious occurences that were classic "Laura Trexler." Some years later, while at Quantico (again) for school, I received a call from a former Battalion Commander that was serving as the Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks, Eighth & I. "George, I believe that you know one of our neighbors and we'd like to extend an invitation to you and your wife to join us for a special event." Laura was that neighbor...and I can truly say that she had made a remarkable impression on my old CO. They liked her...and they respected her. She was no non-sense. She told it to you straight and you knew what was on her mind. She loved it when the Marines formed up outside her house while preparing to march on the Barracks parade ground for the summer evening parades. She'd provide refreshments to the Marines that cleaned the streets in front of her house while tending to the perimeter upkeep of the Barracks. And, she wasn't hesitant to personally call the CO if something wasn't right and needed to be taken care of. We also had Cousin Laura down to our quarters in Quantico several times after that and our family has many fond memories of those visits. A few years later while stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Laura surprised us again with the presentation of a Marine Corps flag flown over 8th & I at my change of command...out of the blue! Thoughtful, passionate, selfless, and driven are only a few of the many words that can describe Laura Trexler. But the very, very fond memories of the experiences my family and I had with Cousin Laura were priceless. Although we have all lost a special person in our lives, we will keep many fond memories of Laura for the remainder of our time here and, without a doubt, our Lord has gained an energetic and loyal foot-soldier in heaven that we will meet again.
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Dr. Rebecca Elspeth Thompson posted a condolence
Friday, January 4, 2013
Laura Trexler, born on the same day (not the same year) as her cousin, my mother, Shirley (Ellis) Thompson, was definitely an energetic and amazing woman. I recall many phone calls, letters, and cards we exchanged over the years. Most memorable was a visit I made to Washington DC for a convention in the 1980's. Laura, in her late 70's then, was always on the "go" and I (though much younger than Laura) had a difficult time physically keeping up with her as she took me through various buildings and events "on the hill". She took me to the lawns of the White House, where we were to view the President welcoming a dignitary from another country. We were required to go through three check-points and she said, "stay on my heels". Naturally, she moved faster than I thought possible for someone with a hip replacement, and as the secret service men parted to let her through (much like the parting of the Red Sea), I was left behind. She came back for me saying, "she's with me, let her through", and to me, "I told you to stay on my heels". Finally, standing in (the front row, of course) front of the President, we listened to speeches and as he began to speak, I squatted down to reach into my purse for my camera. All of a sudden six rifles were pointed closely at me and she was quick to reprimand me saying, "No sudden moves, no cameras, stand up slowly, smile, and be still". And, that was only day one of a two-week visit! Over the years, Laura advised me many times and kept in touch with her cousin, Shirley. Shortly before her death, although I did not know it was imminent, she called to check in with me, ask about my mother, make plans for an upcoming visit, and give me additional advice on an issue we had discussed the week prior. As usual, she was interested in whether I had done what she had advised me in the previous phone call. Laura had an amazing intellect, was a force of reckoning, and her memory was incredible. For a woman, just shy of her 100th birthday, her mental capacity was beyond comparison. She was admired by those in our family and is fondly remembered as Aunt Laura Trexler or "Trex" as we often called her. If Shirley were able to comprehend and respond fully to this loss, she would undoubtedly voice her sincere appreciation for her relationship with her cousin and no doubt mourn her loss. On her behalf, let me say that we, on this earth, have lost an amazing woman---May she rest in peace with God in heaven.
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Richard Campora posted a condolence
Saturday, November 10, 2012
My high school record at Northern Valley Regional was less than admirable. My transcript from the University of the Philippines told a much different story. I can still remember her doing a double take at my college transcript and my high school records and asking, "WHAT HAPPENED?" Miss Trexler helped me to get into Fairleigh Dickinson. She gave me a wax sealed letter to bring to Fairleigh. I was accepted instantly. When I graduated, I mailed her a letter letting her know that I had made it and asked her if I could help her in some way. By return mail she asked me to help others in the way that she had helped me. I have lived my life by that request. Through the years of running my work glove distribution company, helping others was very important. When I retired from the business I became a biology teacher specializing in helping students in need. Today, I am fully retired but my wife and
I still help others. Our six children are also very active in helping others. She will be missed. May God bless her.
Miss trexler truly changed my life. I will never forget her.
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S. Lynnette Anderson Dillon posted a condolence
Thursday, November 8, 2012
I wish to extend my family's condolences to Laura Trexler's family. Laura Trexler was my Godmother and took her position as my Godmother seriously. I addressed her as "Aunty Trex", she addressed me as Lynn, or Lynnette if she was needing to impress a point. She was also my Aunty Mame, flying into town on business, stopping by to see the folks, scooping me up and giving me hugs and kisses. Not many people had the opportunity to see her soft side and I'm thankful I did. She took my Mother, Shirley, under her wings when Dad, JC Anderson, brought her from Australia. Aunty Trex, as stories were told, honored my parents with their wedding reception. Aunty Trex would tell me stories of how she drove miles to find watermelon that my mother craved when she carried me.(No cell phones in those days.) I'm retired now after a fulfilling career and reflect on how she was part of my life's foundation. I had two wonderful parents and they chose Aunty Trex for me. She became my "Mom" when my mother passed.
Over the years, I've seen her scare the pants off people, but it was for their own good. I've seen her generosity, kindness, love, and humor. We had a good time when we went to Europe together to tour the Alps, and it was a treat to attend the Passion Play in Germany.
I feel very blessed that Laura Trexler (Aunty Trex) had been a part of my life. Yes, I did continue my education...yes, I've tried to play and pay her legacy forward. May she rest in peace and always know SHE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
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Richard Campora posted a condolence
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Miss Trexler helped me more tnan anyone has helped me in all of my 71 years. I extend my condolences and mourn her passing.
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Thu Le for Jim Strohmyer posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
IN RETROSPECT, MY CHANCE MEETING WITH A TOTAL STRANGER, LAURA M. TREXLER, IN A HALLWAY AT TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN EARLY 1955 ULTILMATELY LED TO MY LIFELONG CAREER AT NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. THIS FORTUNE-FILLED ENCOUNTER NOT ONLY IMPACTED ON MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE BUT WOULD TYPIFY THE PROFOUND INFLUENCE SHE FREQUENTLY EXERTED UPON MANY OTHERS THROUGHOUT HER CAREER.
TO THIS DAY, 46 YEARS AFTER LAURA TREXLER'S RETIREMENT FROM NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AS THE DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE, HER NAME IS EVOKED MOST FREQUENTLY AMONG THE ALUMNI WHO ANECDOTE RECOLLECTIONS OF HER IMPACT ON THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL YEARS. THE SHEER FORCE OF HER PERSONA CONSISTENTLY MADE AN INDELIBLE IMPACT AS WITNESSED TO THIS VERY DAY.
IN A LIKE MANNER, FROM NORTHERN VALLEY'S VERY INCEPTION IN 1955, SHE LITERALLY WAS A LEAD CREATOR OF ITS FORMATION AS WELL. FROM LITERALLY NOTHING, SHE FACED THE DAUNTING TASK OF FORMULATING POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES TO BRING TO FRUITION A FULLY-FUNCTIONING ACADEMIC PROGRAM. THIS SHE ACCOMPLISHED, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ONLY TWO SECRETARIES, THROUGH HER TOTAL COMMITMENT, DEDICATION AND INDEFATIGABLE WORK ETHIC. VESTIGES OF HER ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTS ARE STILL OBSERVABLE TO THIS DAY.
WHAT DOES THIS SIGNIFY ABOUT LAURA TREXLER, THE PERSON? AS I PONDER THIS QUESTION, IMAGES IMMEDIATELY APPEAR. I RECALL AN INDIVIDUAL OF IMPOSING PHYSICAL STATURE WITH AN UNWAVING CONFIDENCE, MOST PROBABLY ENHANCED BY HER YEARS IN THE MILITARY. SHE ALWAYS SOUGHT THE HIGHEST AND THE BEST, EMBLEMIZED BY THE LATIN EXPRESSION "AD ASTRA, PER ASPERA": TO THE STARS, THROUGH ASPIRATIONS. IN ESSENCE, ALWAYS CONTINUE TO REACH FOR THE HIGHEST. THIS WAS LAURA'S MODUS OPERANDI; THIS IS WHAT GALVANIZED HER IN DEDICATING HER LIFE TO ACHIEVE HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
SUCH A LEGACY OF A LIFE OF HELPING OTHERS IS EPITOMIZED IN THE POEM, ABOU BEN ADHEM COMPOSED BY JAMES LEIGH HUNT, A NINETEENTH-CENTURY ENGLISH POET, SINCE IT PERSONIFIES HER VERY BEING, REFLECTING ON WHAT MOTIVATED HER THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. IT READS:
ABOU BEN ADHEM (MAY HIS TRIBE INCREASE!) AWOKE ONE NIGHT FROM A DEEP DREAM OF PEACE SAW, WITHIN THE MOONLIGHT IN HIS ROOM MAKING IT RICH, AND LIKE A LILY IN BLOOM, AN ANGEL WRITING IN A BOOK OF GOLD: EXCEEDING PEACE AND MADE BEN ADHEM BOLD, AND TO THE PRESENCE IN THE ROOM HE SAID, WHAT WRITEST THOU? THE VISION RAISED ITS HEAD, AND WITH A LOOK MADE OF ALL SWEET ACCORD, ANSWERED, THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD. AND IS MINE ONE? SAID ABOU. NAY, NOT SO, REPLIED THE ANGEL. ABOU SPOKE MORE LOW, BUT CHEERILY STILL; AND SAID, I PRAY THEE, THEN WRITE ME AS ONE WHO LOVES HIS FELLOW MEN. THE ANGEL WROTE, AND VANISHED. THE NEXT NIGHT IT CAME AGAIN WITH A GREAT AWAKENING LIGHT, AND SHOWED THE NAMES WHOM LOVE OF GOD HAD BLEST, AND LO! BEN ADHEM'S NAME LED ALL THE REST.
JAMES STROHMEYER, INDEBTED FRIEND, NOVEMBER 11, 2012
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Klara Moser Smith posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Miss Trexler didn't get along with everyone. The reason for this is that she was always authentically herself. She said what she sincerely felt and didn't worry if she sometimes rubbed people the wrong way.
When I got married in 1966, my mother insisted on inviting Miss Trexler to my wedding because she was a member of our church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Closter, NJ. When I asked why we never saw her at church, Mama explained that she didn't get along with our minister, Pastor Zorn. That was typical Miss Trexler. She said what she felt and never tried to please anyone. A few weeks later, she showed up at our door with a wedding gift. We had a delightful visit. She was so happy for me!
When I went to a reunion in October 2001, Miss Trexler immediately introduced me as Klara Moser from the Class of 1958. I was astonished that she remembered me so accurately when she hadn't seen me in 35 yrs.
Underneath her grim and formidable exterior, Miss Trexler had a sincere and abiding concern for all of the students at NVRHS who passed through her hands. Klara Moser Smith, Class of 1958
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Delores Allen posted a condolence
Friday, November 2, 2012
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies in the loss of your dear loved one. How comforting in knowing Almighty God has not only the power but also the desire to resurrect our loved ones. Jesus himself said: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." John 5:28,29
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Nancy (Bennett) Thomas posted a condolence
Monday, October 29, 2012
Without question, Ms. Trexler was an imposing figure who remains one of the most memorable individuals I encountered during my high school years. She was firm but caring in her interactions with students at our large regional high school, and her previous military background no doubt contributed to the high expectations she had for how students were to conduct themselves. We were urged to be productive citizens and to make a difference in whatever career paths we chose. We graduated at the start of a tumultuous decade that included the Vietnam War, the creation of the Peace Corps, a Presidential assassination, and civil rights marches. No doubt my classmates would concur that we were well prepared to deal with those events because of the efforts of Ms. Trexler and the rest of the NVRHS administration.
For female students during the late 1950's, Ms. Trexler was a role model that we could aspire to careers beyond those normally available to women at that time. Although my parents were certain I had lost my mind, I subsequently spent 15 years working at American Embassies and USAID Missions overseas, mostly in developing countries, including three years in South Vietnam (1969-72).
Even after her retirement, Ms. Trexler continued with her commitment to raising the standard of excellence in education. To that end, she worked at the federal level and testified before Congress on the need for educational reform, including engaging former students and others to join her in doing so. At breakfast on the final day of our 50th high school reunion, she spent a full hour urging our class to become involved at the grassroots level in our communities and to petition our elected representatives to make the overhaul of the educational system a national priority. Hers was a life well lived and one which has had far reaching impact on many. Hopefully, those who knew her will carry on her legacy by engaging in our communities to pay it forward.
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Sandi Benson posted a condolence
Monday, October 29, 2012
Miss Trexler was not a woman to be ignored. All through my high school years she scared the beejezus out of me. She was indeed a "force of nature." I was amazed when she agreed to come to our 50th Reunion last October. But when I learned she was going to drive to NJ from VA I was flabbergasted! I spoke to her only once that night very briefly, but as I left the hotel to go home she was sitting at a table; holding court at a table filled with men. I was tired; at 98 she was not! Her speech at the Reunion was classic Trexler. She was still urging us to support education and to write to our local congressperson to urge them to support it as well.
After the Reunion I sent her a Christmas card. In Jan. I received a letter from her asking for more information about my life and how Northern Valley had impacted it. After receiving my response she called me and we had a lively 2 hour conversation in which I learned a lot more about her. A woman clearly ahead of her time and fully involved in life.
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John F. Alepa (Class of 1961) posted a condolence
Monday, October 29, 2012
What a remarkable woman. In spite of her intimidating presence, Ms Trexler's accomplishments were many and her influence on people's lives far reaching. As a woman who was far ahead of her time through-out her life, she served her country during WW II as a military officer, and set high standards of education for the students she guided at Northern Valley. Her strength of character was never diminished by her years. She drove from Virginia to New Jersey by herself at the age of 98 to be part of our 50th class reunion and addressed our class. Her opening remarks were classic: "I have not changed one bit", she declared. And she demanded full silence and attention before continuing to speak. In preparation for our class reunion, I met with her one month earlier - and I did so with great hesitation. What I learned about her and the stories she told about ignoring her father's wishes not to go into the service, and her years at Northern Valley and the Office of Education made for a surprisingly rich and rewarding two hours. To those whose lives she helped she will never be forgotten; to those who may have thought less kindly of her, they cannot deny that she was a force of nature.
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Bob Frank posted a condolence
Friday, October 26, 2012
Miss Trexler visited our 8th grade in advance of our moving up to high school. She told me that I should not take Latin freshman year, even though I was a college prep student. She insisted that I concentrate on improving my core grades. As a result, I ended up taking German in sophomore, junior and senior year - which became a pivotal decision. As I approached senior year, Ms. Trexler became my biggest advocate in my pursuit of an appointment to West Point. When that was attained, my life changed forever. Continuing with German, I became a specialist in the Army and served 23 years in the Army as a German specialist, historian and strategy specialist. Ms, Trexler was central to my life's path. Fortunately, I got to tell her that at at a MOWW meeting in Washington many years later!
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